Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-15

boyhood and carly youth perfect 10 dIspo-
s,fiou. iu hearing, and In conduct-i
model of al that was noble, honorable,
ard manly. or The early life OF very few
great me, can this be said. Many who
have left behind the greatest regulations
| for usefulness, In whom middle age was n
model OF virtue end perh,ps oil noble self
denial, bepsn their career Ia whiriwind
OF Wild excess. Often again we ind that.
like Nero, the virtuous youth develops INTO
the middle-aged fepd, who leaves behind
him n meme 10 he execlrted for all lime.
n would he difficult 10 find IN history a
great man, be be soldier or Statesman,
with character so irrepro, chable through
out hrs whole life "a that which In boy
hood, youth. manhood. and TO bis de,th,
dIstir guished Robert Lee from all con-
temporarles.
lie entered the Military Academy OF West
Point Of the age OF eighteen, where he
worked bard. became sdiuiant OF the cadet
corps, and finally graduated Mt the head OF
his class. There he mastered the theory OF
war, and studied the campaigns OF the
great masters in that most ancient OF all
sciences. Whatever he did. even as a boy,
be did thoroughly, with order and methoi.
Even at this early age he was the model
Christian gentlemen in thought, word, an 4
deed. Careful and exact In the obedience
be rendered his superiors. but remarkable
for that dignity OF department which all
through bis career struck strangers with
admiring respect.
MARRIAGE.
He left West Point when twenty-five,
L.. 81. H. L.
once obtaif ed a commission In the ergi.
neers. Two years Afterwards he married
the granddaughter aud heress OF Mrs.
Gusts, whose second husband had been
General Washington, but by whom she left
no children. IL was great match for q
poor subaltern officer, as his wife was
heiress TO very extensive property and TO
large number Of slaves. She was clever,
very well educated, aud general favorite;
he was handsome, tall, well made, with
graceful figure, and good rider !;
his manners were at once easy ana
captivating. These young people had
long known one another, and each
with her as part OF her fortune General
Washington's beautiful property OF Ar
lingtop, situated on the picturesque wooded
heights tbat eyerbsng the Potomac river,
opposite the capit9l 10 which the great
Washington had gwen bis name. In talk
ing TO me OF the northern troops, whose
conduct 10 Virginia was then denounced
by every local paper, no bitter expression
passed bis lips, but tears filed his eyes as
be referred TO the destruction OF his place
that had been The cherished home OF the
father 81 the United States. lie could for
give their cutting down his trees, their
wapton conversion OF his pleasure grounds
into grave yard; but he could never for
get their reckless plumber OF all the camp
equipment and other relics OF General
Washington that Arlington House had con-
tanned.
Robert Lee first saw active servicc during
the American war with Mexico In 1916,
where he was wounded, and eyinced re-
markable talent for war that brought him.
self prominently into notice. He was after.
wards engaged in operations against hostile
Indians. and obtained the reputation in his
army Of being on able officer OF great pro-
mise. General Scott, then the general OF
greatest repute IN the United States. was
especially attracted by the zeal and soldiery
instinct Of the Young captain OF engineers,
and frequently employed him on distant
expeditions that required cool nerve, con.
fidence. and plenty OF common.sense. 1t
is curious fact that throughout the Next
can war General scott, n his dispatches
ard reports. made frequent mention OF three
oilicers-Ler, Beauregard, and McClci
lau-whose names became household
words in America afterwards, during the
great southern struggle for, independence.
General Scott had the highest opinion OF
Lees military genius, and did not hesitate
TO ascrlbe much Of bis success In Mexico
as due 10 Lees "skil, valor, and undaunt
ed energy" Indeed, subsequently, when
the dny came that these two men should
part. each 10 take different side in the
horrible contest before them. General Scott
is SAID to have urged Mr.. Linco,n's Gov
erment to secure Lee At any price, alleging
he " would be worth fifty thousand men to
them" His valuable services were duly
recognized at Washington by more than
one step Of breveL promotion. He OBJ
taiped the rank Of colonel and was given
command Of cavalry regiment shortly
afterwards.
| must now pass TO the most important
epoch OF his life, when the southern States
left the Union aud set up government oi
their owp. Mr.. Lincoln was in 1850 elected
President Of the United States in The Abo.
htionist interest. Both parties were 50 an.
cry that thoughtful men soon began to see
war alone could end this bitter dispute.
Shipwreck was before the vessel OF state
which General Washington bad built and
guided with 50 much care during his long
and bard.i0ught contest. Civil war stared
the American citizen in the face, and Lees
heart was well nigh broken at the prospect.
Early in 1861 the seven cotton States passed
acts declaring their withdrawal from the
Union, and their establishment OF an indie.
pendent republic, under the title OF "The
Confederate States OF America" This de-
claraton OF independence WIS in reality a
reyolution-war alsnc could ever again
bring all the States together.
VIEWS OF SECESSION.
Lee viewed this secession with horror.
Until the month OF ATTil, when Virginia,
his own dearly-cherishe State. Joined the
ConicGeracy. he clung fOndIy to the hope
that the gull which separated the North
from the South might yet be bridged over
He believed the dissolution OF the Union to
be dire calamity not only for his own
country, but for civilization and all man
kind. "Still," he said, ga Union that can
only be maintained by swords and bayonets,
and in which strife and civil war are to take
the place OF brothery love and kindness,
has 10 charm for me-" In common with
ell southerners he firmly believed that each
Of the old States had a legal aad indispu.
table right by its individual constitution,
and by its act OF Union, TO leave at
will the great union into which each
had separately entered rs "A sovereign State
" xyt lo1o ~ faif #
which he was as sure as OF any divine
truths be found In the Bible. This fact
must be kept always In mind by those Gh0
would rightly understand his character, or
the course he pursued in 1861. He loved
the Union for which his father and family
In tue previous century had fought so hard
aud done 30 much. But he loved his own
state still more. She was the sovereign TO
whom IN the first place be owed allegiance,
and whose orders. as expressed through her
legally constituted government, he was, he
felt, bound in law, in honor. and in love to
obey without doubt or hesitation. This
belief was the handspring that kept the
Southern Conedferacy going, as II was also
the cornerstone Of its constitution.
SUMTER.
In April. 1861, at Fort Sumter, Charles.
ton barb0r, the first shot was FREQ IN war
that was only ended in April, 1860, by the
Of General Lees army at Apo.
mattox Courthouse, in Virginia. In dura.
ton, 1t is the longest war waged since the
great NaDoleon's power was dnally crushed
1T Waterloo. AS the heroic struggle OF a
small population that was cut OF from all
outside help against great, populous, and
very rich republic, with every market IN
the world open TO il, and TO whom